<p>Beloved 1992 Camry LE station wagon, after many years of reliable service, developed terminal head gasket trauma and expired in the hands of S2 while taking a girl home from a date. Sigh.</p>
<p>It was a much appreciated car, having given 13 years of faithful transport to its only family, as well as many years of freedom from car payments. Yes, it had its age spots here and there (primarily due to S1’s incompetence), but it was beautiful to us. It allowed us to comfortably, if not fashionably, add to the college funds of S1 and S2, and it never complained.</p>
<p>We have a horrible road ahead to find a substitute for you, Camry. It may well be impossible–I don’t know. I suspect we will collapse from sticker shock before finding a reasonable replacement.</p>
<p>I can certainly relate! Our '87 Buick Century Wagon bit the dust just a couple weeks ago. We had had it for 10-11 years, I believe. It was a fine old car, even with the staples in the ceiling and the need to roll down the driver’s window to open the door.</p>
<p>After much searching, we found a nice little 1996 Ford Escort wagon with 105,000 miles on it (and in excellent condition) for only $1200. In four years, we will be through putting kids through college, so maybe then we can get a newer vehicle. But I like our little Escort–Little Red, my husband calls it, after a car in a book we used to read to the boys many years ago…</p>
<p>Your Camry sure had a long life! We traded ours in 4 years ago and wished they were still making the wagons. You might check out a Highlander - they drive pretty much like a Camry. They are pricey but you might find a good used one.</p>
<p>I’m still missing my 1986 Camry, which I drove for 13+ years. We nearly made it a car mitzvah. Replaced it reluctantly with a Suburu which I have come to love too. In fact, when we had to replace the 82 Volvo, we got another Suburu! Still, I have fond memories of that Camry… Good thing I am not a car person - when I add up all the money we’ve spent since 1984 on private school tuition, I see that we could be driving Jaquars!</p>
<p>i’m sorry to hear about your car. we’re currently car shopping to find a car for my little sister. she’s 16 and has saved up about $4000 to buy herself a car.(if she plays her cards right i think my parents will loan her a few hundred dollars) we just have to find something that she actually likes, that mom says she can afford, and that dad says runs. i don’t really fit into the equation anywhere, but it’s been fun to look.</p>
<p>OK, all you Camry people–how many miles did you get out of yours? Our beloved 1986 LE bit the dust two years ago after 300,000+ miles. We then were lucky enough to inherit a 1998 Camry from an elderly aunt who had driven it less than 30,000 miles in six years (honest), but she didn’t take very good care of it, so I’m not sure it will go the distance…</p>
<p>My condolences, Wyogal: A car like that is truly a thing of beauty.</p>
<p>Sympathies. We sold our '88, the Sopwith Camry, about six years ago. Currently we have Oz, a dark green '93 with about 127K miles on it. I’ll probably be buying a new or two-year-old car in the next year and then TheMom gets the Avalon and we’ll find a good owner for Oz, who really has given great service. Of course, TheMom is putting on less than 5K miles per year at this point. </p>
<p>We once rented a Camry in San Francisco and that experience made us loyal Camry fans. Haven’t been disappointed at all. I’ll probably suggest to D that her first car be a Corolla when the time comes.</p>
<p>My dad went to test drive a car after work today for my little sister - a 96 honda civic and he really liked it. The dealership is letting him drive it home (an hour and a half away) and keep it for the night so he can show it to her… so if she likes the way it looks I have a feeling she’s going to buy it tomorrow.</p>
<p>Sorry to hear about the loss. I have been dealing with car issues recently, though not as severe. A flat tire late at night in the middle of the Florida panhandle a few weeks ago and then today a flat tire on the Washington Beltway today. </p>
<p>Your story reminds me of a faithful vehicle I once had. A Chevy Lumina van. Never any problem. I donated it to Children’s Hospital when its odometer had just crossed 202,000 miles. It was still going strong, but I didn’t want to push my luck. </p>
<p>Glad to hear S2 was on a date. Hopefully he can give my son a few lessons in asking a girl out. :)</p>
<p>Boy, can I relate! As we speak, my 97 Lumina is in the shop with a blown intake gasket…apparently a common occurence in Lumina’s. This one has 135K on it…this replaced our much beloved 95 Lumina that was totaled taking oldest S back to college, loaded to the gills…
Maybe once we’re done paying tuition bills, we can get a new, fully warrantied vehicle ;)</p>
<p>just an update - my sister is getting that car. we go tomorrow to sign the papers and stuff for it. she’s really excited cause it’s her first car. all i have to say now is that she can have fun being broke… as she spent every dime she has on the thing, haha.</p>